Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set with White Lotus™ Cultured Freshwater Pearls, Crystal Passions® Beads and Wirework
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Design Idea L303
-- Designer --
Jude, Jewelry Artist, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Jude Wroblewski, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Ear wire, cubic zirconia and sterling silver, clear, 16mm fishhook with 5.5x5mm faceted triangle and open loop, 21 gauge
- Jump ring, sterling silver, 4mm round square wire, 1.9mm inside diameter, 18 gauge
- Clasp, toggle, sterling silver, 13x12mm heart
- Crimp, sterling silver, 2mm cut tube with heavy wall, 1.2mm inside diameter
- Bead, Crystal Passions® and plastic, crystal clear and transparent clear, 6x3mm mini rondelle
- Bead, Crystal Passions® and plastic, crystal clear and transparent clear, 5x2.5mm mini rondelle
- Crimp cover, silver-plated brass, 4mm round
- French wire, sterling silver, 1.2mm tube
- Beading wire, Accu-Flex®, nylon and stainless steel, clear, 49 strand, 0.014-inch diameter
- Wire, sterling silver, half-hard, round, 26 gauge
- Pearl, White Lotus™, cultured freshwater (bleached), white, 8.5x4.5mm-9x5mm button with 0.2-0.7mm hole, C grade, Mohs hardness 2-1/2 to 4
- Pearl, White Lotus™, cultured freshwater (bleached), white, 7.5-8mm button, B grade, Mohs hardness 2-1/2 to 4
- Pearl, White Lotus™, cultured freshwater (bleached), white, 5.5-6mm button, B grade, Mohs hardness 2-1/2 to 4
- Pearl, White Lotus™, cultured freshwater (bleached), white, 4.5-5mm button, B grade, Mohs hardness 2-1/2 to 4
Instructions
Necklace Instructions
Creating the Branch Focal
Step 1
Cut one 2-foot and one 12-inch length of 26-gauge sterling silver wire.
Step 2
String and center one 4mm jump ring on the 2-foot length of wire.
Bend both ends of the wire into a U-shape then twist together two to three times to secure as a loop. This is the beginning of the main branch.
Step 3
String a 5mm pearl onto one end of the wire, moving it to approximately 1/4 inch from the main branch. Bend the wire back around the pearl then twist with the wire above the pearl all the way back to the main branch.
Repeat with the opposite end of the wire to create a second small branch.
Step 4
Repeat Step 3 to add a total of eight 5mm pearl branches, eight 6mm branches and three 8mm branches.
Step 5
String the ends of the wire through and around a 4mm jump ring then twist together to secure.
Step 6
String and center the jump ring added in Step 5 on the 12-inch length of wire.
Bend both ends of the wire into a U-shape then twist together two to three times to secure as a loop.
Step 7
Repeat Step 3 to add five 8mm branches and eight 9mm branches. Trim the short ends of the wire after securing the last two branches.
Creating the Beaded Strands
Step 8
Cut one 12-inch and one 16-inch length of Accu-Flex® professional-quality beading wire.
Cut four 1/2 inch lengths of French wire.
Step 9
String a crimp and a length of French wire onto the 12-inch length of beading wire. Pass the beading wire back through the crimp. Pull the beading wire so the crimp rests snug against the French wire leaving approximately 1/4 inch of beading wire on the end. Crimp, trim the excess from the short end of the beading wire and add a crimp cover.
Step 10
String the following 20 times:
- One 5x2.5mm mini rondelle
- Two 5mm pearls
String one additional mini rondelle.
Step 11
String a crimp, a length of French wire and the jump ring at the top of the branch focal onto the beading wire. Pass the beading wire back through the crimp. Pull the beading wire so the crimp rests snug against the French wire leaving approximately 1/4 inch of beading wire on the end. Crimp and trim the excess from the short end of the beading wire.
Step 12
Repeat Step 9 using the 16-inch length of beading wire.
Step 13
String the following 19 times:
- One 6x3mm mini rondelle
- Two 8mm pearls
Step 14
Repeat Step 11 using the jump ring at the middle of the branch focal.
Assembly
Step 15
Use a 4mm jump ring to attach half of a toggle clasp the one end of the necklace. Repeat to add the second half of the clasp to the opposite end.
Step 16
Gently manipulate the wire branches to the shape desired.
Earring Instructions
Step 1
Cut two 12-inch lengths of 26-gauge wire.
Step 2
Bend one length of wire in half then twist together to create a loop.
String a 5mm pearl onto one end of the wire, moving it to approximately 1/4 inch from the main branch. Bend the wire back around the pearl then twist with the wire above the pearl all the way back to the main branch. Repeat, alternating the end of the wire used, to create a total of eight branches. Trim the short ends of the wire after the last branches are secured.
Repeat to create a second branch focal.
Step 3
Use a 4mm jump ring to attach the loop of a branch focal to the loop of an ear wire.
Repeat to complete the second earring.
Have a question regarding this project? Email Customer Service.
Copyright Permissions
The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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